Published 25/02/2025
Planned work on State Highway 2 to protect public health and the environment
Wellington Water will soon begin critical rehabilitation work on the Western Hills Sewer Main, a key wastewater pipeline running beneath State Highway 2 (SH2) in Lower Hutt.
“The pipe is 62 years old, and while pipes of this nature can usually last around 80 to 100 years, this one needs replacement sooner than anticipated. If left unaddressed, the pipe could break and cause raw untreated wastewater to flow into the Hutt River posing a risk to public and environmental health, as well as resulting in a longer shutdown of a main highway and costly emergency repairs,” says Charles Barker, Wellington Water Acting Chief Operating Officer, adding that “an unplanned failure of the pipeline could lead to a closure of multiple lanes, which is why we need to do this work urgently to minimise potential disruption to the public.”
Work is expected to start on the 12 April 2025, the project aligns with the Easter school holidays, when traffic volumes are generally lower, to minimise impacts on road users. The works will be carried out 24/7 and are anticipated to take two weeks. During this time, daily updates will be provided on Wellington Water’s website and social media platforms. Relevant stakeholders and our council partners will also receive direct daily briefings to share across their channels.
Details will be shared on a final traffic management plan and the areas on SH2 that will be most impacted soon. It is likely that one lane will be closed and speed limits will be reduced for the safety of both motorists and contractors. While efforts have been made to minimise disruptions, significant delays are anticipated at peak times. Alternative routes will be advised where possible.
“We understand that roadworks can be frustrating and disruptive. We ask the public to please be patient with us while we complete this crucial work and to plan ahead and allow extra time for travel during this time,” says Charles.
“Unfortunately, this is critical infrastructure work that cannot be delayed. Taking a proactive approach was essential in ensuring we safeguard public health, protect the environment, and prevent major traffic disruption in the event of a failure of this pipe. Every step of our planning process has focused on completing the work efficiently and reducing disruption, ensuring the least possible impact on the community.”
Editor notes
Wellington Water is owned and fully funded by Wellington City Council, Hutt City Council, Porirua City Council, and Upper Hutt City Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council and South Wairarapa District Council. All six councils are equal shareholders.
Our councils own the water infrastructure in the region, and they task us to manage the infrastructure and deliver water services to our communities.
Wellington Water is governed by a Board of Directors. The Board and our organisation receive overall leadership and direction from the Wellington Water Committee, which are also responsible for appointing members to the Board.
The Wellington Water Committee is made up of representatives from our council owners and mana whenua.